What are environmental carcinogens?
Cancer is caused by mutations in a cell’s DNA. Though some of these mutations may be inherited from your parents, some factors in your environment can cause changes in your cell’s DNA, too. These potential cancer-causers can be: • Related to lifestyle (smoking, poor diet, being sedentary) • Naturally occurring substances (ultraviolet rays, infectious agents, radon) • Medical treatments (hormone replacement, immune-suppressing treatments) • Chemicals in the home and workplace • Pollution. Being exposed to carcinogens doesn’t guarantee that you will get cancer; however, substances labeled as carcinogens have varying levels of cancer-causing potential. Additionally, factors such as genetic makeup, as well as length and intensity of carcinogenic exposure, affect your risk of developing cancer.